Oil spill loss claims by Alabamians tops 17,000, state officials say

View full size(Press-Register/Kate Mercer)Oil on the beach and a tractor passes by a vacant rental property called "Million Dollar View" on Sunday, June 20, 2010. State emergency management officials announced Monday, June 21, that claims related to the BP oil spill have now topped 17,000.

MOBILE, Ala. - The number of claims filed by Alabamians for losses associated with the Gulf oil spill has ballooned to more than 17,000, according to the state emergency management agency.

BP LPC -- the company responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that's been spewing oil into the Gulf since April 20 -- says no Alabama claims have been denied.

Last week, the Alabama National Guard and Alabama Emergency Management Agency put more than 200 people on the ground in Mobile and Baldwin counties to spread the word about the claims process. Teams have set up tables at local grocery and retail stores, met with civic groups and walked door-to-door to businesses.

Just a week ago, the number of Alabamians who had filed a claim stood approximately 3,000, according to the news release, but that number stood at more than 17,000 this morning.

"This is an example of Alabamians helping their fellow Alabamians," Alabama Department of Homeland Security Director Jim Walker said in the news release. "The troops and EMA personnel have worked through 100-degree heat and thunderstorms to get the word out that there is a way to recoup income lost due to this disaster."

To be eligible to receive payment, workers and business owners must call the claims hotline at 1-800-440-0858 to receive a claim number. This number will remain with the claimant throughout the process. Claimants will not be required to have multiple claims numbers for additional future claims. Additionally, there is no limit to the amount of compensation a claimant may receive for a legitimate claim.

Here's a look at some of the documents needed to substantiate a claim, although the documents may not be required depending on each case's specifics:Individual: